Mietenreport 2026: Mieterbund: Wohnungskrise verfestigt sich - Mieter in Angst

In Germany, one in every two renters (50 percent) fear they will not be able to find an affordable substitute apartment if needed, according to the Deutsche Mieterbund (DMB)'s latest "Mietenreport 2026." A Forsa poll commissioned by the DMB found that 29 percent of tenants worry they will not be able to pay their rent in the future.

Over half (58 percent) of respondents reported that their housing costs, including rent and utilities, have increased in the past twelve months. A total of 1,021 tenants were surveyed between June 29 and July 7. DMB President Melanie Weber-Moritz stated that the rental crisis has become more severe. Many tenants live in fear of losing their homes, which sometimes prevents them from asserting their rights, such as requesting a reduction in rent based on the Mietpreisbremse.

The Mietpreisbremse applies only in regions designated as areas with a tight housing market. At the time of a new lease for an apartment, the rent may not exceed ten percent above the local average rent. There are exceptions for first-time leases of new buildings, extensive renovations, older contracts, and short-term leases. The Bundestag is expected to address the stricter rental law amendments proposed by the Cabinet in April, but the DMB believes they are not enough to alleviate renters' fears of rising costs and losing their homes.

The DMB advocates for a "national lease freeze" and penalties for landlords who exceed the Mietpreisbremse regulations. The Bundestag must still decide on the proposed law. The DMB suggests that a federal agency for affordable housing could partially address the shortage of around 1.4 million dwellings in Germany. The coalition committee announced the creation of this agency in early July, which Weber-Moritz believes could be a step towards providing more affordable housing.